GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Thousands of fans stormed the field yesterday after the Warriors clinched the Western Athletic Conference title in the win at Aloha Stadium. Brad Kalilimoku, at left, hoisted the WAC trophy as Inoke Funaki, right, celebrated with jubiliant fans.

‘A lot of fun’

Fans celebrate heartily before and after big game between Hawaii and Boise State

Hundreds of University of Hawaii fans rushed onto the field at Aloha Stadium yesterday shouting, "BCS, BCS," hoping for a berth in a Bowl Championship Series game, as the Warriors' dream of a perfect season remained intact.

Watching Colt

How UH quarterback Colt Brennan did last night:

Attempts

53

Completions

40

Yards

495

Average

9.3

Interceptions

2

Touchdowns

5

The Top Slinger

Colt Brennan now has the most career touchdown passes in college football. Here are the top five:

Attempts

School

TD Passes

Colt Brennan

Hawaii

126

Ty Detmer

Brigham Young

121

Timmy Chang

Hawaii

117

Tim Rattay

Louisiana Tech

115

Danny Wuerffel

Florida

114

"It's unbelievable," said Hawaii Kai resident Alex McAngus, 74, as confetti floated to the stadium floor after the UH victory over Boise State. "It's kind of surreal. I'm just very happy. It's just a fantastic thing for them. I think it's going to create support and unity that we haven't seen in 40 years. It was a well-played game."

Longtime fan Bob Souza stood in reverie, his arms at his side, taking in the image of Hawaii fans rushing the field.

"I had a knot in my stomach during the whole game," he said. "This is great, all the crowd, let them enjoy. We waited so many years for this, and now it's here."

Aloha Stadium and Honolulu police increased security at the game. The visitor section did not have any serious incidents, said Aloha Stadium Manager Scott Chan.

"We'll continue with the same procedures" during next week's game against Washington, Chan said.

Police officers and security patrolled the visitors-section aisles, following reports of rowdy fan behavior during the Hawaii-Fresno State game.

Deputy Stadium Manager Lois Manin said there were eight to 10 fights and that 10 people were removed from the stadium for rowdy behavior.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM
Colt Brennan was raised onto fans' shoulders yesterday after the victory. "I would say that Colt Brennan is the best college football player in the country," said coach June Jones.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Fans rushed the field yesterday after UH beat Boise State 39-27 to win the school's first outright WAC championship.

There was one incident: A man head-butted a Boise State fan in the parking lot before the game and took his wallet, but local residents stopped the man and retrieved the wallet, Manin said.

"They have been the nicest people in the world. I'm having a lot of fun," said Boise fan Don Best, 61. As he was talking, a Hawaii fan came up to him to tell him and his wife, "Good game."

"The best team won," Best said.

Before the kickoff, the fans were ready for a good game.

"It's a good thing for Hawaii to see them do so well," said Earl Everett, a graduate student in social work at UH. "It brings about a lot of good spirit in Hawaii. It keeps everybody talking not only in the stadium, but in the workplace, at home and in church."

Boise, Idaho, resident Wayne Crosby wore bright orange and said he had not noticed any adversarial behavior before the game.

"It takes two to tango," he said. "We're not really into that. We just want to see a good hard football game."

However, Crosby did take notice of several Hawaii fans wearing green shirts saying "Buck Foise." "I would not want to see Boise fans using profanity in reference to other teams," he said. "I would say something to that (Boise) State fan."

Palolo resident Ivan Nakasone said his "Buck Foise" T-shirt was a gift from a friend.

"I wasn't going to wear it," he said. "I think it's offensive."

But after shopping for another green shirt, he couldn't find one before the game, so he wore a Buti Groove shirt. Boise fans laughed about the shirt, he said.

Boise fans join party as Hawaii fans show island-style hospitality

It wasn't that he was wearing orange in a sea of green at Aloha Stadium yesterday. It's because the Oahu-born University of Hawaii graduate was green and his wife was in orange.

"We kinda argue sometimes," Kari Haines said of her husband of seven years, who moved to Boise for her. "He can't get rid of the Hawaii roots."

The Haineses were among more than 2,000 Boise State fans in Hawaii for the game yesterday, and among thousands of people who filled the parking lot to tailgate before the game.

The couple, like many Boise residents, spent Thanksgiving in Hawaii. They circled the date once the matchup was announced last year.

"We usually spend Thanksgiving here anyway," Kari Haines said. "It just worked out perfect that the game was on Thanksgiving weekend."

The Haineses weren't worried about unruly fans, despite complaints about rude and confrontational behavior during the Fresno State game earlier this month.

"It's a little intimidating," she said. "But Fred is running into his friends all the time, and everyone's been real nice."

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
UH beat Boise State 39-27 yesterday to win the Western Athletic Conference. The fans counted down the seconds and then rushed the field.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Tailgaters had a good time yesterday before the game. The stadium parking lot filled up early for the sold-out contest.

As a car full of Broncos fans pulled up next to a tailgate party, the Hawaii fans yelled, "Go UH" while flashing a shaka. It's that kind of lighthearted jabs that the Fillers from Caldwell, Idaho, appreciate.

"They're proud of their team, we're proud of ours," said John Filler, who attends fire academy as a firefighter through Boise State. "The fans have been great. They give us crap, we give them crap back. It's been a lot of fun, otherwise I wouldn't park here."

Filler even enjoyed the popular "Buck Foise" shirts worn by Hawaii fans. "I gotta get me one of those," Filler said. "I would take one home. How would you do one for Hawaii? You can't. That was good."

Hawaii tailgaters offered food to Boise visitors, and vice versa. Filler, who brought his wife, in-laws and two sons for their first Hawaii visit, said he hopes to come back again soon.

The family had a turkey dinner two weeks ago but celebrated Thanksgiving at a luau.

"Today we banned the leis, we banned the shells, we banned anything Hawaii," said wife Leslie Filler. "Today we are just Boise State fans."

Aiea resident Steven Kegley said he was happy to see Boise State and UH fans getting along, and he never doubted the overall conduct of Hawaii fans.

"It's just a handful of people spoiling it for everybody," he said.

Steven Kegley has been a UH fan for 20 years, tailgating at Aloha Stadium for just as long. It's a tradition he had to uphold, despite the holidays and Black Friday shopping.

"Last night was Thanksgiving so we're a little tired, so no shopping," Kegley said. "We just came right here at 9:30. We just want to be a part of it. We're with you when you lost all of your games. We'd like to be here when you win all of them."